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| yna@yna.co.kr 2021-09-28 15:29:08
SEOUL, Sep. 28 (Yonhap) -- "I didn't expect it to be a global mega hit in such a short period. I'm on an 'emotional rollercoaster' feeling weird and good."
Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of Netflix's world 1st rank series "Squid Game," answered that it was the 'simplicity' that has led the production to such global success, during an online interview Tuesday.
"The games (in the series) are all simple and unlike other game genre productions we have added more detailed stories making the characters much easier to understand. I think this may be the reason why so many watchers around the world like the series. When I was designing "Squid Game," I did aim for the global market. Everyone has said that, 'The most Korean thing can be the most global thing.' 'Parasite' by director Bong Joon-ho, BTS and PSY's 'Gangnam Style' were all like that. I also thought that although squid game is just a simple and old Korean tradition, it may have an influence on the global consumers, so I worked with Netfilx. Of course, I didn't expect it to be this much."
"We heard that 'gat'(Korean traditional hat) became popular thanks to 'Kingdom,' so we made this joke saying 'Maybe dalgona might get sold in high prices' while filming. But it became a reality, and we were surprised," laughed the director.
“Squid Game” is said to have begun its production in 2008.
“At the time, I tried to make it into a film but couldn’t, because many commented that it was very bizarre, grotesque and sophisticated. But after 10 years, the world has changed into a place where this absurd and cruel survival story makes sense. The plot is considered realistic. Sadly, the world has changed that way,” said Hwang.
He also explained how he came up with the concept of the rich playing with common people.
“In 2008, when I was crazy for comics, I frequently read stories such as “Liar Game” and “Hunger Game.” I was inspired with comics in which those in need were brought to and forced to participate in games.”
Some said the series plagiarized a Japanese film “As the God Wills.”
“The biggest difference that I think is that it (‘Squid Game’) shows the people more than the game. As anybody around the world can understand the games’ rules in 30 seconds, it is easier for the watchers to focus on the characters emotions. Also, the other work emphasizes a single hero, but this series is the story of the ‘losers.’ There are no heroes or winners,” explained the director.
He also mentioned he is aware that the series is being criticized in Korea for some reasons including ‘the absence of gender sensitivity.’
“I think what Han Mi-nyeo (Kim Joo-ryung) did in the series was a demonstration of what a person in extreme situations can do, not an insult or misogyny against women. Also, the body-printing on the female models was not instrumentalization of women but rather a part showing how much power, which can be represented by the VIPs, could look down on another human being. In other scenes, I just used the commonly shared memories from the 1970~1980s as well. I don’t think that I have produced the series centering on men.”
As the series has showed an unexpected uprise of popularity, the world is paying keen attention to season 2.
“First of all, whether Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) is dead is a secret. I think there will be an uproar if I don’t do it (season 2). There a few scenes floating around my head, but I think I should talk about it more with Netflix. I feel worried having I lost 6 teeth while working with season 1 and I have implanted them,” said the director with a laugh.
“Deciding to work with Netflix was the best choice I have made. I have never produced a work this comfortably,” added Hwang.
“Above all, I have never received this much unbelievably enthusiastic response in just one week."
(END)
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